Zana's Closet

Zana had always dreamed of owning her own business. She had a passion for fashion and a knack for design. She knew that she could create something special, but she also knew that it would be a challenge.

Black entrepreneurs face many challenges, including access to capital, discrimination, and lack of representation. But Zana was determined to overcome these challenges and make her dream a reality.

She started by doing her research. She learned everything she could about the fashion industry and about starting a business. She also networked with other Black entrepreneurs and sought out mentors who could help her along the way.

After a year of planning and preparation, Zana was ready to launch her business. She called it "Zana's Closet"; and it was a boutique that specialized in handmade clothing and accessories.

Zana's Closet was an instant success. She quickly built a loyal following of customers who loved her unique designs and her commitment to quality. Zana was also proud to be a part of the growing movement of Black entrepreneurs who were creating
businesses that were changing the world.

One day, Zana was approached by Patricia who was shopping in her store. Patricia was impressed with Zana's clothes and asked her how she could support more Black-owned businesses.

Zana was happy to share her story and to offer some advice. She told Patricia that the best way to support Black-owned businesses was to shop at them regularly. She also encouraged Patricia to talk to her friends and family about Black-owned businesses and to share her positive experiences.

Patricia took Zana's advice to heart. She started shopping at Zana's Closet regularly and she also told her friends and family about the store. As a result of Patricia support, Zana' s business continued to grow, and she was able to create more jobs for other Black people.

Zana's story is just one example of how we can all support Black-owned businesses. When we shop at Black-owned businesses, we are not only supporting individual entrepreneurs, but we are also investing in the Black community as a whole. We are helping to create jobs, to build wealth, and to promote economic opportunity for Black people.

So next time you're out shopping, make a conscious decision to support a Black-owned business. Your dollars will make a difference.

Marie Deary.

How to recognize National Black Business Month?

For Black-owned businesses:

Here are 13 ideas for Black-owned businesses to use throughout National Black Business Month.

1. Update your Google Business Profile

Within your Google Business Profile, you can mark that your business is Black-owned. This can help people seeking out businesses to support find you, and it also helps to add more information about your business so people can connect with you.

2. Show the face behind your business

Black Business Month is a great opportunity to introduce or re-introduce the face behind your business online. You can share social posts, video messages, as well as an update on your website about who you are, why you started your business, and what Black Business Month means to you.

3. Use hashtags

You can amplify your social posts throughout the month using some Black Business Month-related hashtags. This can help new customers engage with your business, as well as other businesses looking to show support.

#NationalBlackBusinessMonth
#BlackBusinessMonth
#ShopBlackOwned
#Blackmakers
#BlackOwned
#SupportBlackBusiness

4. Get involved in community events

If your community is hosting any events for Black Business Month, this is a great way for your business to get involved. Whether it’s a local market, a roundup of local Black-owned businesses, or another type of event, reach out to your local Chamber of Commerce to see what’s going on that you could get involved with.

5. Talk to local news outlets and influencers

Many local news outlets or influencers may be looking to highlight Black Business Month. This is a great opportunity for additional exposure for your business as you could be interviewed by a local news outlet or featured in a roundup of local Black-owned businesses by an influencer or local blogger. Reach out to a few local outlets to see if they’re working on anything or would be interested in featuring your business.

6. Promote Black-owned businesses

The best way your business can get involved is to promote and highlight Black-owned businesses in your community. You could post a weekly highlight on social media for a different Black-owned business, round up a list of your favorite local Black-owned businesses, or reshare posts from Black-owned businesses. Any way to help customers in your area find businesses to support is a great idea.

7. Partner with Black-owned businesses

Another way to promote a local Black-owned business is to partner with them for the month. This could mean selling their products in your store, hosting a pop-up shop, resharing posts from them throughout the month, or you could even run a social media contest where the prize includes products or services from both your business and your partner business (make sure to purchase the items from the business yourself!).

These are all great ways to show your support and make connections with other businesses in your area.

This Black Business Month, make sure to also amplify voices outside of your business. You can do this by resharing posts from Black-owned businesses, including amplifying their events, sales, or what this month means to them. You can also do this by highlighting their businesses and their stories.

8. Feature Black-owned businesses or Black business owners on your social channels

9. Share relevant information supporting National Black Business Month

You can also share and re-share relevant information about Black Business Month, including the history behind the month, how customers can get involved, and what your business is doing to promote Black-owned businesses, not just this month—but all year.

Another way to amplify voices outside of your business during National Black Business Month is to partner with Black influencers in your niche. You can have them highlight their favorite Black-owned businesses in your area or just make sure that your influencer marketing strategy is reflecting your community with diverse voices.

10. Partner with Black influencers

11. Shop at Black-owned businesses or buy from Black-owned brands

The best thing you can do during Black Business Month (and all year long!) is to shop at Black-owned businesses. As mentioned, Black-owned businesses have been disproportionately impacted over the last few years, so supporting them with your patronage is crucial.

You can find local Black-owned businesses to support by:

Searching within the Support Black Owned Business Directory
Using the Offical Black Wall Street Directory
Searching for “Black-owned businesses near me”
Finding your local Black Chamber of Commerce
Asking friends and neighbors

Larger businesses are also starting to highlight Black-owned businesses and brands they carry, so you can seek out these labels when making your purchase.

For example, Sephora, Target, and Madewell all have dedicated sections for Black-owned businesses.

If there are already local Black-owned businesses or brands that you love, make sure to spread the word! You can do this on social media by sharing a recent experience or product you love and tagging the business. Or you can make a point to tell your friends about your favorite Black-owned businesses.

Influencers and micro-influencers can also take this opportunity to highlight local Black-owned businesses so their larger audiences can discover a potential new business or brand.

12. Share your favorite Black-owned businesses

13. Leave reviews for your favorite Black-owned businesses

Another way to spread the love for your favorite Black-owned business or brand is to leave a glowing review. Because search engines are still where most people discover new businesses, you can help Black-owned businesses get discovered by leaving relevant, positive reviews.